"But emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men." (v.7)
Christ with equality to God "emptied Himself" not of being God but of the glory. Instead He took on the form of subjection to authority as a slave becoming in the likeness of serving human beings.
God expressed Himself in perfect authority and in perfect subjection to authority simultaneously.
"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross." (v.8)
Equality with God yet in the form of a man becoming obedient unto the death of a cruel cross. This is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who said "the Father is greater than I".
This is the one who died for us in the form and likeness of a man obedient to the uttermost.
'THEREFORE . . . . .
Therefore what ??
"Therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. (v.9)
He had the right to ascend Himself by Himself. Yet He did not. He let God exalt Him. In every stage He was obedient to the ultimate authority of all existence.
Christ, based on what He was as Son of God before the world was, before the foundation of the world and in glory could have exalted Himself based upon this.
But based on this He did not exalt Himself. But God exalted Him based on His act of obedience in going down, down, down to humble Himself and die a submissive slave.
WHEREFORE . . . THEREFORE . . .
"Therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name which is above every name." (v.9)
This is wonderful.
Knees everywhere are going to bow.
If knees in heaven . .. their going to bow.
If knees on earth or even under the earth? . . . they are going to bow to the name of Jesus. I want to bow my knees to Jesus now today.
"That in the name of Jesus very knee should bow,
of those who are in haven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of god the Father." (vs.10,11)
This is fantastic. To the one who said "the Father is greater than I" every knee will bow and every tongue will confess - Jesus is Lord. It is good to get in on a good thing early.
It is good to willingly and livingly get first dibs on something universal and wonderful as adoration of the God-man, the Lord Jesus, receiving Him as our Lord.
@sonship
If I pasted instead of copy by hand, I would make less typos.
"That in the name of Jesus [every] knee should bow,
of those who are in haven and on earth and under the earth,
As far as I know I am the only person I know who has written this sentence exactly like this.
God expressed Himself in perfect authority and in perfect subjection to authority simultaneously.
When you are impressed with something you are willing to go out on a limb and express your thoughts on it, though it may be risky.
" God expressed Himself in perfect authority and in perfect subjection to authority simultaneously. "
The Father is the emblem of perfect authority.
And the Son is the emblem of perfect submission TO perfect authority.
This could be accomplished by the mysterious Triune God.
He is not only an endless uncreated life but a life without limitation.
Rajk9999 writes
Jesus told Satan that only God is to be worshipped
And Jesus Himself received worship in the Gospels.
1.) A healed leper worshipped Jesus (Matt. 8:2)
And behold, a leper, coming near, worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can cleanse me.
2.) When Jesus stilled the storm, those in the boat worshipped Jesus (Matt. 14:33)
And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.
3.) The Canaanite women bowed down and worshipped Jesus (Matt.15:25)
But she came and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me!
4.) The mother of the sons of Zebedee worshipped Jesus (Matt.20:20)
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, worshipping and asking something of Him.
5.) A ruler knelt before Jesus and petitioned Him (Matt. 9:18)
As He was speaking these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.
6.) Just before He gave the "great commission" some disciples worshipped Him (Matt.28:17)
And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him, though some doubted.
7.) Some women disciples took Him by the feet and worshipped Him (Matt. 28:9)
And behold Jesus met them, saying, Rejoice! And they came to Him and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.
8.) In Mark a some saw Him from afar and worshipped Him (Mark 5:6)
And when he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and worshipped Him.
9.) A healed blind man worshipped Jesus in (John 9:38)
And he said, Lord, I believe; and he worshipped Him.
10.) Thomas certainly worshipped the resurrected Christ calling Him his Lord and His God. (John 20:28)
Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!
In all these instances Jesus accepted worship from believing human beings.
@sonship saidEternal life comes from doing what Jesus said to do. There is no virtue in reading the bible and using that knowledge to copy what others do. There are Christians who say David committed adultery therefore its Ok. They are fools. Just like you, who want to do everything people do and not what Jesus said to do.
Rajk9999 writesJesus told Satan that only God is to be worshipped
And Jesus Himself received worship in the Gospels.
1.) A healed leper worshipped Jesus (Matt. 8:2)
And behold, a leper, coming near, worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can cleanse me.
2.) When Jesus stilled the storm, those ...[text shortened]... Lord and my God! [/b]
In all these instances Jesus accepted worship from believing human beings.
In addition to what I already posted here is Jesus again saying again what to do
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21-24 KJV)
Paul also said For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:14 KJV)
So you continue .. copy Thomas, and some old man here, copy the Pharisees, and do listen to everyone but Christ.
@Rajk999
Which one of the ten instances of worship of Jesus do you teach was wrong?
Oh. None?
Thankyou.
